…New force structure to strengthen national security, improve military response nationwide
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions and authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel in what is being described as one of the most significant military restructuring initiatives in recent years.
The approval is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, improving the Army’s operational effectiveness and enhancing its capacity to respond to emerging security threats across the country.
The new force structure is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to modernise the Armed Forces through increased manpower, improved troop welfare, acquisition of military platforms and equipment, and sustained investment in operational readiness.
Under the approved arrangement, four new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, expanding the Nigerian Army’s divisional structure from eight to twelve formations strategically positioned across the federation.
According to the approved deployment, the Army’s twelve divisions will be headquartered in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Ilorin, Jalingo, Lagos, Enugu and Benin City, with clearly defined operational responsibilities covering all states of the federation.
The Federal Government said the expansion would improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and enable quicker responses to emerging threats.
Implementation of the restructuring will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, involving the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026, while the second phase, covering the establishment of the 83 Division and further organisational adjustments, will be concluded by December 2026.
President Tinubu described the expansion as part of his Administration’s commitment to building a stronger, better-equipped and more responsive Armed Forces capable of addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, alongside officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their professionalism, dedication and commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The President reaffirmed that his Administration would continue to invest in the Armed Forces through improved welfare, modern equipment and enhanced operational capacity to ensure the military remains fully prepared to safeguard the nation’s peace, security and territorial integrity.
The approval comes amid sustained efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen the country’s security institutions and improve military readiness in response to evolving security threats across different parts of the country.
